NEW MINISTER NO STRANGER TO KAROO
A man with strong hinterland ties has taken over the tourism helm in the Western Cape Province. Johan Gelderblom, former chairman of the Klein Karoo District Council and MP for the region, was appointed Minister of Agriculture, Tourism and Gambling on December 5, 2001. He replaced Mr Leon Marcowitz. Mr Gelderblom grew up in the Klein Karoo, matriculated at Ladismith and then acquired BA and BA Honours degrees in Public Administration at Stellenbosch University. After graduating, he moved to the then Transvaal to gain practical experience. There he also served on the Public Service Commission in Pretoria for a few years. The call of the Karoo was strong, and 1979 saw him back fulfilling a leading role in business, civic and educational affairs from a base in Oudtshoorn. During his time at the District Council, Mr Gelderblom realised what a powerful role tourism could play in the hinterland. He was a founder and board member of the Mid-Cape Tourism Association, where one of his pet projects was the Klein Karoo Kunstefees. The Mid-Cape RTO was a combined marketing organisation for the Garden Route, Klein Karoo and Central Karoo, which in time was merged with Western Cape Tourism Board. “The Mid-Cape RTO proved the power of combined marketing strategies,”he said. “Tourism is full of excitement and I certainly look forward to its challenges.”
TOERISME HOOG OP KAROO AGENDA
Toerisme was ‘n top besprekingspunt tydens die Sentrale Karoo Geïntegreerde Ontwikkelingsplan (GOP) werkswinkel in Desember in Beaufort-Wes. Daar was ooreengestem dat ‘n dringende beleid benodig is sodat strategieë ontwerp kan word wat die hele streek in staat sal stel om toerisme beter te benut. Heelwat deskundiges op die gebied van GOP-ontwikkelling het insette gelewer. Hulle was afkomstig van die departemente van landsake, maatskaplike dienste, gesondheid en kommunikasies. Daar was ook deskundiges van die Provinsiale Ontwikkelingsraad, die Ontwikkelingsbank van Suid-Afrika, die WNNR en Ntsika Enterprises. Hulle het ook ook leiding gegee oor sekere aspekte van toerisme, roetebeplanning, handwerksentrums, besigheidsforums en SMME-ontwikkeling.
- Tourism High on the Agenda
Tourism was highlighted at a December workshop during which the Central Karoo. District Municipality’s Integrated Development plan was discussed. Strategies will soon be put in place to allow better advantage to be taken of the region’s tourism potential. Experts who addressed the workshop came from the Provincial Development Council, The Development Bank of South Africa, the CSIR, and Ntsika Enterprises.
NEW HOUSING MINISTER HAILS FROM BEAUFORT WEST
Nomatyala Hangana, newly-appointed Minister of Housing in the Western Cape Province, originally comes from Beaufort West. The local community was extremely proud to hear of her appointment. They proudly showed her how the Kwa-Mandlenkosi Township Tourist Route had been created and discussed forthcoming developments with her when she visited the town to celebrate her mother’s 80th birthday in December. Her mother, Nozenze, who was born in Kwa-Mandlenkosi, has agreed to work with Beaufort West Councillor Mrs Maria Matunzi and Kaleko Yaso, a teacher at H M Dlkidla Primary School and member of the Tourist Route Forum, to record as much of the history of this township as possible. The aim of this group is to prepare a booklet which in time will be made available to tourists on the township route.
DAINTY FROG DISCOVERED
A previously unknown frog has been discovered in the Karoo. “Currently only known as the Karoo Dainty Frog, it will be properly named and written up by September 2002, when all research on the species has been completed,” said Harold Braak, former manager of the Karoo National Park, and now a member of the University of Cape Town team working on the South African Frog Atlas. “The Karoo Dainty Frog was first seen in the Karoo National Park in 1985. It vanished for a while, but was later seen again in the park, in MacGregor and Van Rhynsdorp. Researchers are now studying its habits and habitat.” The Frog Atlas was coming along well, said Harold. “Research in most areas has been completed. Poor rainfall, however, delayed research in the Karoo, but recent good showers have seen researchers out in the veld from midnight to about 04h00 each night. Sightings have been excellent,” said Harold. “Once work has been completed, we will know what areas and which species need closer monitoring.” He said there were seven frog species in the Karoo National Park and Beaufort West areas. “One of the most interesting is the giant bullfrog. It has established itself in the park and on several farms. Such discoveries make research worthwhile. “
DIE KONYN MET SOMMER BAIE ‘HAAS’ NAME
Dikvoet-, pond-, vlei-, ribor- en Deelfonteinhaas is almal byname van die bedreigde oewerkonyn. “Die diertjie is eers in 1902 naby die Britse militêre hospitaal by Deelfontein deur ordonnans C H B Grant, ontdek. Een is na London in Engeland gestuur vir identifikasie. Daar het dit die naam Deelfonteinhaas gekry,” sê Chrizette Kleinhans, van Kaap Natuurbewaring se Oewerkonyn-navorsingspan. “Dr Oldfield Thomas het dit as ‘n nuwe spesies geïdentifiseer, maar die wetenskaplikes wat dit Bonolagus monticularis genoem het, het ‘n fout begaan. ‘Monticularis’ beteken bergie en hierdie diertjies kom nie in bergagtige gedeeltes voor nie. Hulle leef in rivierlope en vleie. Vir dié rede word hulle soms ‘vleihase’ genoem. Die wetenskaplikes vergelyk die diertjies seker met die rooi klipkonyn, wat wel in Karookoppies voorkom,” sê Chrizette. Die naam “dikvoethaas” is afkomstig van die diertjie se pelsagtige agterpote. Daar is twee redes vir die naam “pondhaas.” Die diertjies het omtrent ‘n pond geweeg en was heerlik om te eet. Resep bestandele was uitgewerk rondom ‘n pond vleis. Die ander “pond” kom van die geld eenheid. Kapt. G C Shortridge, kurator van die King Williamstown-museum het een pond aangebied vir enigeen wat vir hom ‘n oewerkonyn sou bring. Hy het vir 20-jaar vergeefs in en om Karoo koppies na een gesoek. In 1947, het hy inligting vanaf Calvinia ingewin, sy soektog in rivierlope voortgesit, en vier oewerkonyne gesien. Rex Reynolds, ‘n vorige eienaar van die plaas Grantham, sê dat in sy kinderdae daar heelwat oewerkonyne in die Leeuw- en Paalhuisrivierlope was. “Op ons plaas was hulle ‘riborhase’ (van die Engelse woord ‘river’) genoem.”
- Riverine Rabbit Has Many Names
The highly endangered Riverine Rabbit has many names, but strangely many link it to a hare. One of its names refers to its fat, fluffy feet, while another refers to its weight, almost always 1lb. In 1947 Captain G C Shortridge, curator of the Kingwilliamstown Museum, in 1947 offered one-pound sterling to anyone who could show him a Riverine Rabbit. He had unsuccessfully searched for a specimen for over 20 years. Some call this little nocturnal creature a Deelfontein rabbit. It where it was first seen there in 1902 by a British soldier C H B Grant. He sent one to London for identification. There Dr Oldfield Thomas, who recognised it as a new species and named it Bonolagus monticularis. This seemed to indicate that it came from a mountainous terrain. Quite the opposite is true. The Riverine Rabbit lives in tunnels in undergrowth along river banks.
CLOSER LOOK AT WINGED VISITORS TO THE KAROO
A Belgian expert on stork migration recently visited the Karoo. Willem van den Bosch, whose tour of South Africa was funded by the German government, addressed the William Quinton Wild Bird Club while in Beaufort West. “Storks often fly over the Karoo, sometimes stopping to rest, but not to eat,” he said. “Storks never stop to eat while migrating.” Bird Club chairman Maria Andela was thrilled with the talk which was illustrated by slides. “Many storks seem to come to the Overberg to breed,” she said. “High winds there often knock chicks out of the nests, but they are usually rescued and taken to Tygerberg Zoo where a breeding colony has been established. The next nearest colony is in the Sudan.” Willem is a member of an international team that tracks the movement of storks by satellite. “Very young birds are fitted with small transmitters, powered by a solar cell and with a life of up to nine years. This allows us to track individual birds,” he said.
CHRIS BARNARD NOG IN DIE KOLLIG
Die Barnardversameling in Beaufort-Wes se museum is nog ‘n groot trekpleister vir toeriste. Maande na die dood van Prof. Chris Barnard styg besoekersgetalle steeds, volgens museum kurator Sandra Smit. “Ons ontvang nog gereeld heelwat interessante items van Prof. Barnard se gesinslede. Onder die nuutstes is ‘n brons beeld met die opskrif ‘World Health Award 2000 – Men’s World Day’ wat verlede jaar deur oud-Sowjet President Mikhail Gorbachev aan Prof. Barnard oorhandig is. Daar is ook ‘n ere doktorsgraad sowel as die Albert Schweitser Gold Star, wat hy van die Albert Schweitser World Academy of Medicine in Warsaw, Pole, in April, 2001, ontvang het.”
- Barnard Exhibit remains an attraction
The Barnard exhibition at the Beaufort West museum is still a great tourist attraction.
Since Professor Barnard’s death in September there has been an influx of visitors, reports curator Sandra Smith. Barnard’ family members still donate items for display. Among the latest is the World Health Award 2000 which was presented to him last year by former Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev, an honorary doctorate, and the Albert Schweitser Gold Star, which Professor Barnard received from the Albert Schweitser World Academy of Medicine in Warsaw, Poland, in April 2001.
TOP CRICKETER CLEAN BOWLED IN THE KAROO
Just over 100 years ago, “one of the greatest all-round cricketers the world has ever seen” was fighting for his life in the Karoo. He lost his battle with a debilitating lung disease on December l, 1901, and was buried at Matjiesfontein. “George Alfred Lohmann, 36, was the greatest medium-paced bowler England ever produced,” writes Prince Albert cricket enthusiast John Whitton. “In his distinguished professional career Lohmann emerged as one of the most devastating bowlers in the history of cricket. A splendid fielder and resolute batsman, he was considered one of the game’s most versatile players. Lohmann represented his country many times. His bowling records still stand. In a vain attempt to conquer tuberculosis he came to Matjiesfontein at the invitation of James Logan, a leading patron of cricket in South Africa. While in the country, he also played and trained players at Wanderers.” Surrey County Cricket Club and friends in South Africa erected the magnificent marble headstone on his grave.
‘HELP WRITE THE MATJIESFONTEIN STORY’
Many visitors to the Karoo find Matjiesfontein something of an enigma. With this in mind, geologist Gerry Levin recently called on all those with knowledge of the little Victorian village to share this. “Matjiesfontein must be one of South Africa’s most interesting places,” he said. “I’m sure experts with full details on its history, geology, archaeology and botany could be approached to write about their specialities so that visitors can learn more about the area. I am definitely willing to prepare a section on the geology. I have surveyors’ diagrams of some Logan properties, including Draai and Tweedside, as well as interesting geological data on a high-grade glass sand deposit nearby. A history of its role in the Anglo-Boer War, details from the hotel guest list, the saga of ghosts, plants, animals and the first people to live there would be fun to read.”
RUIT WAS PROGRAM ‘N GROOT SUKSES
In ‘n poging om bedelary te bekamp en werk te skep het Beaufort-Wes burgemeester Truman Prince ‘n spesiale toerismeprojek in Desember geloods. Twintig werklose mense is vir ‘n klein dagloon in diens geneem om motor ruite te was en toesig oor geparkeerde voertuie te hou. Ds Albertus van Zyl van Gamka-Oos gemeente het hulle in goeie dienslewering opgelei. Die burgemeester het toe gereël dat elkeen ‘n haarkapper besoek waarna elkeen met ‘n uniform, bestaande uit ‘n netjiese blou oorpak, bypassende keppie en seilskoene, voorsien is. Elkeen het ‘n emmer, ruitwasser, sambok en gelamineerde dienskaart, vir vertoning aan die publiek, ontvang. Onder toesig van Andries Esau, van die Vredes-komitee, het hulle toe aan die werk gespring. “Top gehalte dienslewering was die mikpunt,” sê hy. “Hulle het gou uitgevind dat goeie diens met fooitjies bekroon is.” Die suksesvolle progam is moontlik gemaak deur ‘n skenking van die Sentrale Karoo Distrikmunisipaliteit.
- Windscreen washers a success
During December the Beaufort West Municipality introduced a special service for tourists in an effort to curb begging and to provide jobs. Twenty unemployed people worked in teams providing a car watch, security and windscreen washing service for tourists. Good service soon saw them receiving tips to supplement their allowances. The project has been hailed as a success.
SPECIAL PROGRAMMES KEEP STREET CHILDREN ENTERTAINED
Beaufort West street children, sent to school at Nelspoort, spent their Christmas holidays making closer contact with the Karoo. “Some have parents who are substance abusers, while others are totally homeless,” said Councillor Juliet Jonas, a Nelspoort teacher involved in the programme. “So, we arranged a series of outdoor-based programmes and picnics to occupy them. They’ve never had such fun.” The programmes will continue during the Easter recess. A special two-day rock art training workshop will then be presented by Sven Ouzman, head of the Rock Art Department at the National Museum in Bloemfontein. He has done a great deal of research in the area. “The Nelspoort rock art site is vast,” he says. “The biggest in the Western Cape, it extends beyond the tiny, sheltered valley. Our aim is to train the children to understand and appreciate rock art and its role in the Karoo’s cultural heritage. A tourist route will be created, and in time the children will guide visitors to the site,” says Sven. Lawrence Rathenham, head of Restvale Primary School at Nelspoort, has been appointed site custodian. No visits to engravings or gong rocks will be allowed without his supervision to so ensure that this valuable site remains protected. “There are wonderful feline spoor engravings, Khoi geometric drawings, images of trains and ‘Western’ life on the Nelspoort rocks,” says Sven. “The three rock art traditions, San, Khoe and White, make this an exciting site. We found many more rock gongs. There are also images of rhino, elephant, antelope, eland and rare human figures. There is also what could be an engraving of a quagga.”
HARD LABOUR, NOT DEATH, FOR DOMINEE JOHN
New light has been shed on a controversy surrounding a man of the cloth in Beaufort West. According to an item in Hooyvlakte, the history of Beaufort West, Dominee John Neethling Murray was sentenced to death by a military court in the town in 1901. “Not so,” says historic researchers Taffy Shearing and Ruth Labuschagne, who have spent hours browsing through long-forgotten files in archives trying to unravel the story. “The Cape Blue Book or Command Document 981 of August 7, 1901, has details of his case,” says Taffy. “He was sentenced to ‘three months’ hard labour in a local prison and then deported for not complying with his parole orders and for ‘improper expression against Her Majesty’s forces on a postcard.’” Ruth reports that according to a letter written by his father, Ds Andrew Murray, John wrote on a postcard to a friend: “Hou moed, dit sal maar broekskeur gaan met die Engelse (Take courage, things will go badly for the British).” “John was arrested for this insidious remark and tried and sentenced by a British military court,” says Ruth. “Influential friends considered the sentence severe. They petitioned Lord Kitchener to commute the sentence. Not only was John the son of Ds Andrew Murray, they wrote, but also, by marriage, a nephew of General Louis Botha. Their pleas were ignored, and John was deported to India.”
WYE REEKS RYTUIE BRING DIE SENDINGSBOODSKAP
Bearbeiding in die ylbevolkte Karoo in die vroeë 1900s was nie maklik nie. Toe ds B F G Bastiaanse met sendingwerk in die uitgestrekte Beaufort-Wes gebied in 1913 begin het was hy “verbaas met die reeks voertuie” wat hy moes gebruik om by sy ledemate uit te kom. “Meeste was op afgeleë veeposte op plase woonagtig,” het hy ges. “Die boere het verantwoordelikheid aanvaar om my te vervoer. Motors was skaars en ek was met perdekarre, muilwaens, donkiekarre, ryperde en fietse van plek tot plek vervoer. Baie keer was dapper en stapper die antwoord.” Ds Bastiaanse moes vroeg opstaan en dou voor dag in die pad val om van die herdershuisies te bereik.” By elke plek was hy hartlik verwelkom. Ds Bastiaanse het in die opelug vanaf ‘n veldstoeltjie gepreek. “Na elke diens was daar ‘n smul ete. Ek sal die maaltye nooit vergeet nie. Op my veldstoeltjie in die skadu van klip herdershuisies het ek heerlike kos vanuit n blikbord op my kniee geeët. Eers was warm, vars roosterkoek met bokbotter gesmeer, bedien. Watertand ribbetjies gegeur met veldkruie het gevolg en stomende koffie in ‘n blikbeker met bokmelk, maar sonder suiker, het die maal afgerond.” Elke besoek moes fyn beplan word, veral met die oog op water. “Windpompe was skaars en ‘n mens moes die fonteine ken,” skryf ds Bastiaanse. Beaufort-Wes was sy eerste en enigste gemeente, maar volgens hom sou hy hierdie ervaring nie vir die wêreld gemis het nie.
- Variety of Transport Surprised Preacher
Dominee Bastiaanse, who arrived in Beaufort West in 1913 to serve a farflung farming community as a mission preacher, was amazed at the huge variety of transport needed to get him to his flock. Most the time “Shank’s Pony” served him best. He was also astonished by the tasty meals which his humble parishioners rustled up.
MAY THE LORD BLESS YOU IN MANY TONGUES
Beaufort West’s first township dwellers prayed in many languages, on top of which they mostly accomplished this in the same place at the same time. Rev R D Kretze, the Dutch Reformed Church missionary who established the township’s first little place of worship, the “Kerklike Bidhuis,” at first found this unnerving. Rev Kretze, who served the community from 1904 to 1911, was amazed at the number of languages spoken in the township. “People with vastly different roots and backgrounds lived in this location,” he wrote. “Each insisted on worshipping in his mother tongue. All prayed loudly throughout the service. You cannot imagine what it sounded like. Prayers continuously erupted from all corners of the church. The language mix included Dutch, German, English, Xhosa, Sotho and Koranna. Each supplicant tried to pray louder than his neighbour. At the beginning I found the gaggle of voices daunting. But in time it mellowed to my ears. Their sincerity made it a joyful noise unto the Lord.” This impoverished but enthusiastic community also each paid one shilling a month towards community work.
INLIGTING BY DIE BANKWINKEL
Murraysburg se “Bank Shop,” of Bankwinkel, is ‘n baken op die dorp. Omdat dit toeriste lok het eienaars Mariette Theron, van Misthoek, en Hannelise van Heerden, van Onderstetuin, besluit om ook toerisme-inligting daar te verskaf. Die gebou was eers die dorpsbank. Later toe hulle ‘n algemene winkeltjie daar begin het, is dit “Die Bankwinkel” genoem. Om die inligtingsdiens aan te vul gaan hulle ook plaaslike handewerk verkoop en ‘n posdiens aanbied. Mariette bedryf ‘n gastehuis op haar plaas. “Die area is gewild onder ekotoeriste en ons is dus tans ook besig om twee kothuisies vir toeriste in ‘n klofie in te rig.”
- Information at the Bank Shop
Two Murraysburg women, Mariette Theron of the farm Misthoek and Hannelise van Heerden of Onderstetuin, have decided to include tourism in the mix at their little general dealer’s store, known at The Bank Shop. They will also be selling locally made handcrafts. “The area is an eco-tourist’s delight,” says Mariette, who has a guest house on her farm.
